Search This Blog

That far off Mayoral election

Well this is more Boston related than Chinatown Specific. I saw an interview with Tito in the Sampan.... We reached out for an interview too... but nothing yet. In any case, this will make the election time interesting.

Statement from City Councillor Tito Jackson on GE's decision not to pursue a publicly-funded helipad

I am thrilled to hear that the voices of the residents and businesses of South Boston and the Fort Point Channel were finally heard by the Walsh and Baker Administration, and the sweetheart deal given to General Electric has become less sweet with the news that they will not pursue a public helipad as part of their relocation incentive package.
I agree with GE. Boston's talent and resources make it one of the best places for any business to move to. Google and Microsoft greatly expanded their presence in our metro area because they appreciated Logan Airport's proximity to the center of Boston, as well as the well-trained and hard-working workforce that we have in Boston and beyond. I commend GE for reaching the same conclusion.
It is a sweetheart deal that GE has sensibly stepped away from on Valentine's day. I suspect the hearts of Boston's taxpayers will not be broken today.
I want to also congratulate the many businesses, residents, and community groups who successfully fought against the Mayor and Governor's incredibly ill-advised use of tax-payer money.
I read with dismay, however, that the Mayor's Administration still wants to pursue a publicly-funded helipad. I ask them plainly to stop. We have spent too much time and treasure already.

We have better things to spend our tax dollars on. I call on the Mayor to insteadfund the students of forty-nine Boston Public Schools that face $11.4M in funding cuts next year, rather than still push for a taxpayer-funded helipad even the corporate executives have now said no to.

We need to focus our energy, resources, and time in training more of our residents to participate in an economy that requires computer science, coding, and STEM skills. Clive Johnson in a recent article in Wired Magazine entitled, "The Next Big Blue-Collar Job Is Coding," implores us to develop and train a workforce of the future. The data about the Massachusetts economy shows us that we are not at a loss for great companies here, but of the talent to fill the companies that we already have. The savings from the helipad should go to train the workforce of tomorrow.

– City Councillor Tito Jackson

Get link

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Email

Other Apps

Comments

Popular Posts

When I was doing Crime watch somehow one of the older American guys who would later learn from me was talking about whether Uncle Frank did Martial Arts. Now this is actually more than just American Stereotyping. Some Asians may groan and say, "Just because a person is Asian and is old doesn't mean they know Kung Fu."

But look, if you were to make a movie about the Drama in Chinatown, and it was made in Hong Kong.. frankly all the powers that be would have superhuman Kung Fu as well as their mental strategies and political pull. This is because, Jin Yong wrote a lot of novels where the people in these political positions had secret and powerful Kung Fu. Part of it is just for entertainment.

Plus, Chinese people like to explain greatness through practice. Training done after birth. Whereas Americans like to explain it through Divine right or genes. I.e. you are great because it is something you are born with and this power cannot be taught.

Halloween is approaching, and Chinatown has some legitimate ghost stories. Fred (not his real name) shared some of his stories with me in an earlier post. Today let's focus on the spooky ones.

"You know that building was all boarded up when I was a kid. It was so Ugly that we didn't even want to look at it. If we were going from Tai Tung back to the restaurant we would actually run, full speed just so we wouldn't have to look at it. It was that much of an eyesore."

Later that building would house Kwong Kow Chinese School and now it is actually a community Center. The school where I learned Kung Fu is there along with several other martial arts, dance and music schools, an after school, a #library, a gallery, and most recently it is where the displaced people from the fire were staying.

"I think the City actually sold it to the Chinatown Community for like a dollar or a penny or something. But you know Kwong Kow wasn't in that building in the beginning, i…

The Vancouver Empty Home Tax is the hottest topic right now for many different reasons. It relates to the influx of foreign investment in properties, the locals that have multiple properties and of course anything that's a tax will always be a touchy subject regardless of where you stand. While only implemented in the city of Vancouver, many around the United States have been discussing what kind of effect it could have on their cities. If you're wondering what this tax is all about, read on and maybe you won't be so confused.

The tax states properties that are vacant, empty, or do not contain a principle resident will get taxed at the rate of 1% per year. At the end of every year, property owners will have several months to file an "Empty Home Tax Declaration" where they will be asked to prove that they are principle residents meaning it's their primary residence or that the property is being rented out for at least 6 months out of each year. If they d…